The 2026 NFL draft has come and gone, and now, it’s time to take a hard look at the moves these 32 franchises took to beef their lineups up ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Leading up to the draft, plenty of talk surrounded Indiana Hoosiers quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. He was a no-brainer No. 1 overall pick going to the Las Vegas Raiders.
But, the Dallas Cowboys may have actually gotten the “biggest steal” of the NFL draft, not Vegas.
In a roundup of the “100 best picks, steals and fits” of the 2026 NFL draft, Matt Miller of ESPN names his favorite moves and those steals that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Dallas Cowboys got a winner in Caleb Downs
Miller gives the Cowboys the No. 1 “steal” in the draft for their selection of safety Caleb Downs as the 11th overall pick, after trading with the Dolphins to secure him.
“My favorite pick of the draft, Downs will be an immediate playmaker in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme,” Miller says of the choice. “A three-time All-American and a national champion, Downs’ work ethic and culture-setting ability are as important as his on-field skills. He has football savvy and a great feel for the game, which gives him alignment versatility and will allow him a faster acclimation than most rookies.”
He adds: “The expectation is that he’ll become a high-end starter with All-Pro potential during his rookie contract. The combination of player, need and value made this the best pick of the 2026 draft.”
It’s great to see the Cowboys highlighted for this move up in the draft, especially since Jerry Jones isn’t always known for his popular draft decisions. But, this one was an “A.”
Getting a safety was a key need for the Dallas Cowboys going into the NFL draft, and since they weren’t willing to work out a free agency move or trade for one, finding a budding safety in the draft makes perfect sense. Downs should bloom under Parker’s coaching.